The driver of the Phuket-registered taxi, Wiwat Phitaknitinan, 34, from Pa Khlok, filed a formal complaint with police after the incident, which occurred on Soi Bang Tao 4/2 at about 5:20pm on Saturday (July 20).
Mr Wiwat works as a driver for the Bolt ride-hailing service. He explained to police that he was assigned to pick up customers in his grey Toyota Vios, a registered Phuket taxi, from the Sunwing Bangtao Hotel and drive them to Patong.
Upon arrival, he saw that the four male foreign customers had mistakenly entered a white Toyota Vios with Bangkok license plates.
Mr Wiwat said he approached the car and knocked on the rear window where the passengers were seated. The car began to move away, so he knocked on the driver’s side window, prompting the driver to stop and roll down the window.
The driver then asked, "Why did you break my car window?" Mr Wiwat responded, "Why did you take my guests? They booked me to pick them up."
The driver, described as a well-built Thai man with a black-red complexion and a mustache, exited the car, made threats and challenged Mr Wiwat to a fight, Mr Wiwat said in his complaint to police.
The four tourists, believed to be Indian nationals, that were in the Bangkok-registered Vios exited the car and attempted de-escalate the argument, to no avail.
To avoid a confrontation, Mr Wiwat started walking back to his car. As he got closer, he remarked, "Your car is illegal." Once seated in his car, the man reached through the passenger window and punched him in the face, causing minor injuries, Mr Wiwat told police.
Mr Wiwat then drove his four passengers to Patong and subsequently filed a complaint with the investigating officer at Cherng Talay Police Station. He requested that the police take legal action against the assailant.
The incident was recorded on a video camera fitted inside Mr Wiwat’s taxi.
The video was posted online over the weekend, spurring more comments of anger and disappointment over the incidents involving taxis in Phuket.
Lt Col Kajonkiat Khamwichairat, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) at Cherng Talay Police Station, received the formal complaint (No 75/2567) and assured that officers will conduct further investigation.